Yang Peng understood the rules of Vanity Fair, knew what Zhang Zhou needed, and knew what he could help.
There is no need to ask for bribes, and there is no need to pay bribes openly to get things done beautifully.
Zhang Zhou was also thinking that Yang Peng was able to gain Li Guang's trust during the Hongzhi period and still retain power despite his misdeeds. He was even able to gain a foothold immediately after Li Guang's fall. He was indeed a good hand at socializing.
"Nowadays, there are many powerful people in the capital. They heard that an immortal master has appeared in the palace, and they are all looking for it. Some of them want to ask you to come and perform a ritual to drive away the evil spirits in the house. The action will not be shabby. The guarding eunuchs from various places... I also want to make friends with you..."
Yang Peng used to be smooth in dealing with things, but now he wants to act as a middleman to reap benefits.
Zhang Zhou understands the rules of Vanity Fair very well.
Now that the emperor trusts him, maybe even if the emperor knows about making money, the emperor will turn a blind eye. But if there is any natural disaster or something like that later, there will be a warning, and the minister will impeach him and say that it has something to do with the emperor's favor and trust in him. …
These bad deeds will become his talisman.
Smart people don't need to amass wealth in this way.
Zhang Zhou thought he was not short of money.
Zhang Zhou didn't refuse, just smiled and said: "Let's talk about it later, I am not good at sociability, and I am not Li Guang. My Taoism is not deep enough. I am afraid that if I fail to exorcise evil spirits, I will attract evil spirits back to them."
"You're joking."
Yang Peng didn't force it.
We don't know him well enough, so even if Zhang Zhou regards wealth as his life, he won't talk too much with him.
In Yang Peng's view, many things can be advanced slowly.
…
…
After Zhang Zhou inspected the foundation laying of Qingning Palace, he could have left the palace.
But it was Xiao Jing who came in a hurry and said to Zhang Zhou: "Sir, your Majesty invites you."
Zhang Zhou asked: "Talk about Qing Ning Palace?"
Xiao Jing smiled helplessly, meaning that the emperor didn't clearly say what it was, so it was hard for him to guess.
Zhang Zhou followed him all the way to Qianqing Palace. People could be seen passing by in a hurry on the road. Zhang Zhou was also thinking in his heart, if he really worked as an errand in the palace and did everything in a rigid and hasty manner, how much pressure would these people have?
"Eunuch Xiao, do you usually have any relaxing activities?" Zhang Zhou asked with concern.
"Um?"
Xiao Jing had a question mark on his face.
What is a "relaxation project"?
"Mr. Zhang, you are so interesting in what you say. His Majesty has been waiting for a long time. He also specifically stated that there is no need to pass the message. I can just take you in when you come!"
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang was sitting behind his dragon case with many memorials on hand. Before Zhang Zhou arrived, Zhu Youtang was still reviewing the memorials carefully.
"Bingkuan, you're welcome, sit down."
The seats had been preset. Zhang Zhou saluted and sat down, waiting to listen to the emperor's teachings.
After Zhu Youtang finished reviewing the memorial in his hand, he put it aside and said with emotion: "It is not uncommon for the central government to withdraw the memorials from the central government to guard the ministers. I am also thinking about this matter."
Zhang Zhou thought about it for a while. Previously, Yang Peng said that the guarding eunuchs from various places wanted to know him. Now the emperor said that various opinions in the court wanted to remove the guarding eunuchs. The emperor was still thinking about this matter.
The implication is that the guarding eunuchs in various places felt the crisis and wanted to take the opportunity to mobilize people in the capital, especially those who could speak well around the emperor, to reserve official positions for them.
In Ming Dynasty.
The guarding eunuchs in various places are equivalent to both the military supervisors and half the commanders. Many things cannot be completed without the permission of the guarding eunuchs. Both the chief military officer and the governor are very worried, so that they have no military dispatch. They have to be supervised by a group of ignorant eunuchs, and it is easy to miss the opportunity to fight?
What's even worse is that each of these eunuchs is more greedy than the last, and they simply can't get enough to eat.
Civil servants did not want to be hijacked by eunuchs everywhere. During the Hongzhi Dynasty, because the emperor relied heavily on civil servants, such requests were common.
Emperor Hongzhi once wanted to cancel it, just because the northwestern Tatars invaded the border one after another ten years after Hongzhi... Zhang Zhou was familiar with history and knew that Dayan Khan had risen in the grasslands during this period, and some of the glory of the Mongolian cavalry had been restored in the grasslands... Only in this way can It made the emperor feel that it was necessary to strengthen his control over the northwest and other places.
"Your Majesty has worked hard for state affairs, and I feel deeply ashamed that I cannot share the burden." Zhang Zhou said.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "You don't have any objections?"
Zhang Zhougong cupped his hands and said, "I don't understand, and I dare not mix my opinions casually. I have not yet become an official in the court."
"Um."
Zhu Youtang nodded, but sighed, "This is also my regret. I want to keep you in the palace, you have no good purpose, and I want you to be in the court, but you haven't won the Jinshi yet. Originally, as a candidate, I was given an official position. It's not impossible to give it to you, but there are too few things that a person can do, and you are from Jiangnan Jieyuan, so it's no problem to pass the Jinshi examination in the future!"
"By the way, Bingkuan, why didn't you enter the Yong Dynasty after you arrived in Beijing? And why didn't you visit the master of the provincial examination? Is there some reason that I don't know about?"
Zhu Youtang obviously kept in mind Zhang Zhou's previous comments about Cheng Minzheng.
Especially the part where Cheng Minzheng might cause trouble.
It's scary to think about it.
Zhang Zhou said: "I just don't want to go out to socialize too much. I can wait until next year's exams before I can visit again. As for Beiyong... I'm usually busy with things. If I go to Beiyong, if I can't go back home every day, my studies may be delayed." , it may also have delayed other things.”
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "I don't understand you. I keep looking for you to do things and ignore your feelings. In fact, if you want to go to school, it will be more beneficial for you to go to Beiyong Middle School and be guided by famous teachers."
Having said this, Zhu Youtang said to Xiao Jing on the side: "Find someone to talk to Minister Lin again and ask him to arrange everything so that Bingkuan can enter school as soon as possible, and not to interfere with his studies, and provide as much help as possible."
"Yes." Xiao Jing responded with a smile.
Zhang Zhou thought that Lin Han had just sent his son to go through the formalities for entering the Imperial Academy, but it didn't work out, and now the emperor wanted to press him again. It is estimated that Lao Lin would have a headache now.
"One more thing." Zhu Youtang said, "The news came back from the northwest, saying that not long after Wang Yue left Yansui Town, the Tatars got the news and sent troops to attack the earthen forts around Yulinwei, and also attacked Piantou Pass and other places. The report said that there was a Tatar vision! It seems that the Tatars are unwilling to fail!"
Zhang Zhouxin said, if you tell me this, you are not blaming me for suggesting that Wang Yue be transferred back, right?
Dai Yi reminded: "Your Majesty, there is still this."
"Oh, by the way, I just received the news that Wang Yue was over seventy years old, but he was riding a horse back to Beijing. After only a few days of walking, he almost died at the inn due to chest paralysis. His family used my The medicine you gave me... was given by you. Give it to him and he will recover. He expressed his gratitude to me, but I don’t know what to say in return."
"There is also a thank you note from the British father here, thanking you for curing his son's congested disease."
Zhang Zhou was very confused. Did Wang Yue get sick so quickly?
In history, Wang Yue did not die until December, and died of sorrow and anger.
However, Wang Yue has always had heart disease.
Perhaps it was because Zhang Zhou changed history and asked the emperor to urgently summon Wang Yue back to the capital, and Wang Yue insisted on riding a horse to show off his talent, that the disease started early...
"I was thinking, if I had just summoned Wang Yue back to the capital, and Tatar had a vision, people in the court would have gossiped. But now that Wang Yue has come back to life, who else will gossip?"
"I feel that it is because of you that the northwest can be safe and sound! I have asked Wang Yue to rush to Xuanfu first and stay in Xuanfu for a while. After the Tatars withdraw their troops, I will let him return to Beijing."
"For such an old minister to stay in the northwest, it will also be a shock to Di Yi!"
When Zhu Youtang said this, there was a lot of expectation in his eyes.
You probably just need to tell Zhang Zhou that you have been so effective in treating illnesses several times. Now it’s time to give me your secret recipe for giving birth to a child, right?
I can't wait to try it with the Queen.
"Your Majesty, this is all the result of your taking my opinion. It is not because of anything I have done. Besides, this kind of thing is still done by God." Since the emperor had this idea, Zhang Zhou, as a discerning person, could not pretend to be confused.
"Okay, you have merit but don't boast about it, and you are open-minded. I appreciate you. When Wang Yue returns to Beijing, let him thank you!" Zhu Youtang once again expressed his affirmation of Zhang Zhou's ability.
Zhang Zhou said: "I have summarized some prescriptions for the health of Your Majesty and the Queen. If you have paper and pen, I can record them and give them to the people at the Taiyuan Hospital for detailed review, and then they will decide whether Your Majesty can use the medicine."
Zhu Youtang stood up excitedly and said: "Why do you still need them for detailed information? Just give it to me! I believe you!"
Dai Yi also urged: "Yes, Mr. Zhang, we are all waiting."
"Hahaha……"
Zhu Youtang couldn't help but laugh.
This seems to be saying, before you came, I told Dai Yi and the others how to ask for a prescription from you. Now that you take the initiative to ask for a prescription, everyone is on your own, and the atmosphere feels relaxed and lively.
Zhang Zhou said: "Then I will record it first!"
"Quick, give me pen and paper!"
…
…
Zhang Zhou recorded some prescriptions, but they were not complete, because he had to go back and consider some of the medicines again.
Some medicines are still strong in nature and can be used on ordinary people. For frail and sick people like Zhu Youtang, they need to be taken step by step. If strong medicines are given at the beginning, Zhu Youtang will really be weak and not be supplemented.
"Your Majesty, as I said before, medication is secondary. The important thing is that Your Majesty should go out for a walk more. Sitting for a long time will also cause physical discomfort."
"good."
"In addition, the Queen's conditioning is all about basic medicines. The Queen can wait for Her Majesty's conditioning to be completed before using medicines."
"Bingkuan, do you still need to take the medicine separately?"
"Yes, let's focus on conditioning His Majesty first."
What Zhang Zhou means is that you are so weak and you haven't healed yourself yet. I'm afraid it won't be of any benefit to you to nurse the Queen back to full energy first.
If you and your husband want to adjust at the same time, you should do it first, then her.
"well."
Zhu Youtang was like a serious student, he promised whatever Zhang Zhou said.
When the prescription was finished, even Dai Yi, who didn't know much about medicine, said: "Your Majesty, the slaves have been worshiped in the Taiyuan Hospital for several years. In Mr. Zhang's prescription alone, there are no toxic or incompatible herbs. It's just that There are some medicines that are not very commonly used, I’m afraid they are not available in the palace.”
"Then go outside and buy it." Zhu Youtang said.
"Yes." Dai Yi glanced at Zhang Zhou, his eyes a little erratic.
It made Zhang Zhou think that you, Dai Yi, wanted to do something about purchasing medicinal materials, right?
"Bingkuan, I have something else to tell you. It's about the prince. You said something to him a few days ago, asking him to meet and talk with the queen's two younger brothers. I don't know much about the details. ask."
"Your Majesty, I didn't say much..."
Zhu Youtang smiled and stretched out his hand to interrupt Zhang Zhou: "You don't have to explain, I understand your painstaking efforts. But in fact, it's not good to always be like this. It's not too late to teach him these things when he is a teenager. By the way, he still has Give me something called a telescope, you made it too, right?"
"Your Majesty, yes."
"I think that since the situation in the northwest is tense now, it would be best if you could make a few more. I won't force you. If it can help the situation in the northwest, I will remember your contribution."
Xiao Jing and others were surprised.
Because the prince had previously given advice to his father but failed, and was reprimanded and locked up in a small dark room.
But turning his head, Zhu Youtang came to Zhang Zhou to ask for the telescope, and according to Zhu Houzhao's words, he wanted to use it in the military.
Xiao Jing and others were all thinking, if the little prince knew about it, wouldn't he be angry to death?
(End of chapter)
